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⢠ENV-10: Approve Preferred and Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA); and ⢠ENV-12: Reach Consensus on Avoidance and Minimization for the LEDPA. A project-specific goal for the TCAPP process was to conduct a thorough alternatives analysis and reach consensus on a preferred alternative for the Hoopstick Creek Bridge Replacement. The intended result was to complete a permit application that met regulatory requirements and expectations of the partner agencies. The SCDOT also planned to use the TCAPP Decision Guide to facilitate additional process improvements, such as identifying process timing changes for interagency meetings, better defining alternatives analyses requirements, enhancing partner agency coordination, and shortening project delivery time frames. Process-oriented goals of the pilot project were to (1) increase communication among decision makers and partners, (2) identify and address agency resource concerns at the earliest point possible in the transportation development process, (3) document resource agency comments/involvement, (4) evaluate the utility of using the TCAPP tool for interagency coordination in South Carolina, and (5) provide suggestions for enhancing the TCAPP tool for interagency coordination. Project Team The SCDOT ESO was the lead organization in implementing the pilot project. The SCDOT ESO is a separate division under the chief engineer for location and design. ESO staff consists of 16 full-time, multidisciplinary personnel with experience in all aspects of environmental permitting and NEPA documentation. The SCDOT ESO works closely with the regulatory and resource agencies in the environmental permitting and NEPA process. Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc., (Tidewater) was responsible for assisting the SCDOT in administration of the pilot project tasks (i.e., preparing for and mediating meetings, developing meeting materials and report drafts). Tidewater is an environmental consulting firm that specializes in providing innovative solutions for complex environmental and natural resource projects. Tidewater has nine personnel who are specialists for NEPA, wetlands, permitting, mitigation, stream and wetland restoration, and protected species. They have extensive project management and complete document preparation experience with all facets of natural resource assessments, documentation, and permitting for transportation improvement projects. Comprehensive Business Consultants, LLC, (CBC) is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise that was used for independent project monitoring. CBC is a management consulting firm that provides program and project management support services on major design, engineering, and construction projects for both public- and private-sector clients. CBC has performed these services on major public and private infrastructure projects, such as interstate highway systems, bridges, airports, vehicular tunnels, and rapid transit systems. 11
